DOHA, Qatar — Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, warned on Monday that the global energy shockwaves resulting from the US-Israel war on Iran have not yet reached their peak. Speaking at the Global Security Forum in Doha, he cautioned that further disruptions to international trade, energy supplies, and economic growth lie ahead in the coming months.
The remarks follow the outbreak of regional hostilities that began with US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, followed by Iranian retaliatory strikes. Those developments included a March attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial complex, which caused damage requiring years to repair. Al Thani also noted that Qatar's Al Udeid airbase was targeted during the conflict, prompting Qatari forces to shoot down two Iranian warplanes in early March.
Addressing ongoing instability in the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial maritime corridor for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments—Al Thani firmly rejected the implementation of transit fees for vessels navigating the waterway, warning that such measures would ultimately harm consumers worldwide.
Despite ongoing tensions, Al Thani emphasized that Doha has maintained continuous communication with Tehran at various levels. He expressed optimism that regional mediation efforts involving Qatar, Oman, and Pakistan could foster a broader dialogue framework among the United States, Iran, Israel, Gulf Cooperation Council members, Turkey, and international allies.
Highlighting bilateral security ties, Al Thani noted that decades-old defense cooperation with Washington helped intercept more than 90 percent of incoming attacks. He also announced plans for an upcoming regional security partnership focusing on air defense, counter-drone technologies, and cybersecurity, while reaffirming that diplomatic mediation does not replace Qatar's readiness to defend its territory.